Page 113 of Scarred Hearts

The Russians shared an uncertain look before Ekaterina flashed her signature, flawless, white grin with bright red lips. “Tonight, we drink. Tomorrow, we feud.”

By now, I was running over the plan in my head, hoping my family and friends didn’t falter. I needed to make sure we were perfectly synchronized for it to go off without a hitch. Taking a microphone from the mic stand, I stepped up onto a small platform, lifting it to my face.

“Thanks everyone, for coming tonight,” I began, and the room became silent, all turning to me. “I know we’ve all had our differences in the past,” I arched a brow at Gino Mussolini, “and some of us still do,” I glanced at Ekaterina, Ivan and their fifteen guests in attendance. “But tonight proved that we can co-exist when we need to.” I glanced at Ian who gave me a nod that everything was going according to plan. “We’re going to mingle, get liquored up, and play some games before a special finale I’ve put together as a thank you for coming together in one place.”

The room erupted into cheers I didn’t expect.

“The bar is open, and Ian sent our lovely bartender home for the evening to rest, so feel free to mix your own drinks as strong as you’d like them!”

More celebration broke out as everyone gathered around the alcohol. I stepped off the platform, turned the microphone off, and slipped it into my back pocket. Chance approached me with a wide grin.

“Why are you here?” I asked sternly. “You should be at Jen’s. She’s going to kill me if something happens to you.”

“To be fair,” he snorted, “she’s going to kill you if anything happens to any of us.”

“But you’re so adamant about not being one of us,” I countered. “You should be out of the line of fire.”

With a stern stance and narrowed eyes, he held a finger in the air. “I am one of you assholes now,” he announced, with a hint of pride in his voice. “And furthermore?—”

“Heyyy!” Gino waltzed over. “Chance Hardwin, the man! How are you?!”

Chance’s reply was laced with faux pleasantries as he maintained his façade. “Great, thanks.”

Gino continued to praise him before turning to introduce Chance to other members of the group. Sensing an opportunity, I excused myself and navigated my way through the crowd, trying not to draw attention to myself. I needed to make my rounds, ensuring everything was in place. I made eye contact with each of our men, giving them the signal to start exiting the building one by one so we weren’t noticed.

People gathered at the casino tables, playing poker or blackjack. Others gathered at the bar, mixing more concoctions and telling war stories.

Ian and I passed one another, and he stopped me. “We’re the last two in here. Chance left after talking to Gino. Are you sure about this?”

“Are you?” I countered. “This has been your property for years now.”

Examining the large space, he sighed, then brought his gaze back to mine. “I’m ready to let go of what needs to go.”

“Okay,” I confirmed. “Did you text Jake?”

“Yeah, he said everything’s clear, and we have about ten minutes before the next train.”

“The news station ready?”

He nodded once.

“Okay,” I said, taking the microphone from my pocket. “Let’s do this.” I switched it on, placing it in front of my mouth as Ian and I stepped up onto the platform side by side. “Again, we wanted to get up here and thank everyone for coming tonight. We have a special finale planned to celebrate the temporary truce.” I pointed toward an enormous, white wall across the warehouse. “Please take a look at the screen and don’t be alarmed. The room is about to go dark, but the video is only five minutes long.”

Laughs rang throughout the room. “No one fight anyone!” someone joked.

“It’s been a fun night,” I sneered as we stepped off the platform, and the lights slowly dimmed as we made our way toward the back of the room behind everyone. The moment the space went dark, the video started, and Ian and I exited the warehouse with Nico lingering at the door. Angelo was waiting outside.

Nico spun around, chaining the door closed. “They’re secured.”

Ian pressed his earpiece as we strode across the parking lot. Everyone out and accounted for?

Yeah, we’re all out, Luke replied, and we’re across the bridge.

We’re on the way, Ian said. Cutting all communication now. See you soon.

Right about now, the video was greeting everyone, thanking them once again for coming before running through a Polaroid-style slideshow of all the deceased Mussolini family members. Then, it would be followed by a flip-book style of everyone locked in the warehouse right now. And then my voice would play over graphic photos of their family that Jacob provided us. He kept them as evidence in a locked file in his home in case we ever needed him to pin our crimes on someone else.

Taking the microphone from my back pocket, I tossed it over my shoulder to the parking lot with a thud. Banging could be heard on the large bay doors as they were all in a panic, realizing they’d been tricked and trapped inside. During the video, I’d informed them:

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